Dehradun, Nov 7: Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall began their nine-day tour of India by visiting Rishikesh on Wednesday.

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles participated in the Ganga aarti after being received by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna at Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport.

The state government has made elaborate security arrangements and deployed over 600 cops. After landing at the airport, Charles and Camilla headed for Parmarth Niketan. They also conducted a special hawan for world peace at the ashram .

Following the Yagna Ceremony, they took part in a Water Blessing Ceremony, led by Pujya Swamiji, in which waters from the world's sacred rivers were offered onto a large globe, symbolizing a prayer that all people across the world should have access to safe and sufficient water.

Charles said: "I am amazed by the experience of sitting on the bank of one of the ancients rivers of the world. It is the right time for us to rediscover our connection with nature."

He made an appeal for people to come forward to conserve the environment and paid tributes to the deceased of the recent disaster in Uttarakhand.

In Rishikesh

Britain's Prince Charles, greets Hindu priests as he arrives accompanied by his wife Camilla to participate in a Hindu ritual at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the banks of the River Ganges in Rishikesh on Wednesday.

In Dehradun

Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla being received by Uttrakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on their arrival in Dehradun on Wednesday.

In Dehradun

Prince of Wales, Prince Charles being received by Uttrakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on his arrival in Dehradun on Wednesday.

In Dehradun

Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall began their nine-day Tour of India by visiting Rishikesh on Wednesday.

In Dehradun

Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall began their nine-day Tour of India by visiting Rishikesh on Wednesday.

In Dehradun

Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall began their nine-day Tour of India by visiting Rishikesh on Wednesday.

In Dehradun

Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall began their nine-day Tour of India by visiting Rishikesh on Wednesday.